Welcome to the final patch of the split
Riot Games announces the last patch of this split, Patch 13.13. This will be a 3-week long patch due to Riot's annual mid-year break. For the full patch schedule for 2023, visit their official site.
Champion Balancing and Item Adjustments
Riot is focusing on addressing the issue of over-performing champions such as Aphelios, Ivern, and Rell in this patch. Simultaneously, they are bolstering the prowess of Lee Sin and Nidalee. A few items, like Statikk Shiv and Stormrazor, are also being adjusted, in addition to several ARAM balance modifications.
Locking of Ranks and End of Split 1
If you're looking to break into the next tier, now is the time. Your rank will be locked for rewards on July 17, 2023, at 11:59 pm local time. So, give it your best in the games and gear up for the next split!
Teamfight Tactics Update
For those who have been enjoying set 9, make sure to check out the TFT patch notes for the latest updates and strategies.
Patch Highlights
The following skins will be available from June 28, 2023, at 20:00 UTC: Elderwood Karthus, Elderwood Wukong, Star Guardian Orianna, and Star Guardian Seraphine.
Mid-Season Ranked Reset & Ranked Rewards
Victorious Skin Reward: Victorious Anivia
The last patch to earn the Victorious Anivia skin is now live. Riot has updated the Victorious skin modal to display your exact amount of split points if you are Silver or below and have under 1600 points. Note that players with an honor level below 2 will not be eligible for the ranked reward.
Ranked End and Start Dates
Riot is initiating their first mid-season ranked reset and providing accurate dates and times for players' convenience:
- July 16, 2023: Account transfers will be disabled while Riot prepares to collect ranked data for end of split rewards.
- July 17, 2023 at 11:59 PM Local Time: Ranked queues will go down as Riot collects your current rank to distribute rewards. However, if you're in the middle of a game, it will still count towards your ranked climb. Note: The last Apex ladder update is at 11:45 PM, games must be completed before that to count for Master and above.
- July 18, 2023 at ~3:00 AM Local Time: Ranked queues will turn back on BUT ranked games will not count towards Split 1 OR Split 2 rewards. You will still have your Split 1 rank for these games. This time can be used to relax or start warming up for Split 2.
- July 19-21, 2023 Time Varies: Your rank will be reset and Split 2 will kick off!
The specific start times for Split 2 in each region are as follows:
- Oceania (AEST): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Japan (JST): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Republic of Korea (KST): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Russia (MSK): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- EU Nordic & East (CET): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Turkey (GMT+3): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- EU West (BST): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Brazil (GMT-3): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Latin America South (GMT-3): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Latin America North (CST): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- North America (PST): July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Philippines (Philippine Standard Time): July 20, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Vietnam (GMT+7): July 20, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Singapore, Malaysia, & Indonesia (GMT+8): July 20, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Thailand (GMT+7): July 20, 2023, 12:00 PM
- Taiwan (GMT+8): July 20, 2023, 12:00 PM
- China (GMT+8): July 21, 2023, 5:00 PM
Changes in Split 2
Revamping the Ranked Climb Experience
In Split 2, Riot Games is set to bring considerable changes to the ranked climb experience. They will be removing promotional series between divisions, reducing the number of placement games from 10 to 5, and introducing Emerald tier, a new rank between Platinum and Diamond. For more information about these changes, check out the full post, "What's Next for Ranked."
The champions in the League of Legends game will undergo a series of changes as detailed below:
Annie
Q magic damage is decreased to make reaching the late game slightly more difficult. Magic damage will change from 80/115/150/185/220 (+80% AP) to 70/105/140/175/210 (+75% AP).
Aphelios
Changes are intended to diversify the bottom lane more by reducing Severum life steal, Gravitum slow duration, and Crescendum base attack speed.
Ivern
W on-hit magic damage and R Daisy! movement speed and base damage are decreased, after his strong performance across all skill levels.
Kindred
Base health and armor are decreased to target their strong performance in top levels of ranked play.
Lee Sin
Q damage is increased to make landing it more rewarding in the later stages of the game.
Neeko
Q cooldown is increased and W damage is adjusted. Changes to R are also being made to decrease her early game power while also providing more counterplay opportunities.
Nidalee
Base movement speed is increased to improve her performance in high skill levels.
Rek'Sai
Base attack damage and base health are decreased to slow her down in the Jungle and reduce the safety of her engages.
Rell
Health regeneration growth, base magic resistance, and magic resistance growth are decreased, but Q damage to monsters and E monster damage are increased to balance her performance in different game modes.
Varus
W on-hit magic damage is increased while damage per Blight stack is decreased to balance his performance, especially against high-health champions.
Vi
Passive shield and R cooldown are increased to reduce her high presence in professional play.
Wukong
E damage to monsters modifier is removed to reduce his jungle clear speed and thus his high presence in professional play.
Please note, all changes are part of an ongoing balancing effort, and player feedback is always considered.
Item Adjustments by Riot Games
Duskblade of Draktharr: More Refined Mechanic
Riot has decided to improve the interaction between Duskblade of Draktharr and certain channeling abilities, such as Miss Fortune's R - Bullet Time and Samira's R - Inferno Trigger. The aim is to prevent Duskblade's untargetability from triggering during these channels, as this would merely eliminate the effect instantly and unnecessarily start the item's cooldown. Thus, any takedowns occurring during a channel will no longer cause Duskblade's untargetability to activate.
Essence Reaver: Enhancing Champion's Identity
Riot believes a champion's power should primarily stem from their inherent kit, supplemented by the choices players make within a game through runes, items, and Summoner Spells. As the game progresses, champion strength evolves as items are built, ultimates are unlocked, and abilities are leveled. Notably, while the attack damage and ability power ratios usually don't vary much, items may come with their own ratios.
However, if these item ratios are excessively high, champions might become overly reliant on a single item for power, reducing their unique characteristics. Champions like Ezreal and Rengar, who have become 'button-pressers' for their items, are classic examples. Riot has adjusted Essence Reaver and Stormrazor in the recent patch to curb the increase in attack damage ratios over time, while ensuring they provide significant early game damage.
As a result, Essence Reaver will be slightly less potent later in the game but should generally be more powerful for most users throughout the majority of the game. The Spellblade damage has been adjusted from 100% Base AD (+40% Bonus AD) to 130% Base AD (+20% Bonus AD).
Statikk Shiv: Preserving Gameplay Intent
Riot celebrates players' creativity in using the item system, yet they ensure items don't lead to unenjoyable gameplay when optimized. Statikk Shiv has seen unconventional use by champions like LeBlanc, turning it into a Lich Bane on steroids. Shiv was designed as a potent wave clear tool that required player input to finish off minions. Its AP ratio also made it a suitable choice for hybrid builds.
To preserve this intention and prevent mages from abusing Shiv for burst damage, Riot is removing the AP ratio on minions and reducing the PVP AP ratio. While this might still make Shiv an attractive choice for LeBlanc and Zoe, it should provide a fairer experience for their opponents. The Energize minion damage has been adjusted from 250-450 (based on level) (+125% AP) to 250-450 (based on level) (+0% AP), and the Energize non-minion damage from 100-180 (based on level) (+50% AP) to 100-180 (based on level) (+30% AP).
Stormrazor: Shift in Power Curve
Following the reasoning explained under Essence Reaver, Riot is redistributing power from AD ratios to the base item power in Stormrazor. This change aims to make the item more potent in the early game but less so in the late game. The aim is to create a strong power spike upon purchase while still ensuring marksmen depend on sustained damage for late-game success. The item's Ability Power ratio is also being removed, preventing any misuse by mages. The Energize damage has been adjusted from 15 (+60% AD) (+50% AP) to 90 (+25% AD) (+0% AP).
ARAM Adjustments
For this patch, Riot primarily aims to lessen the buffs or nerfs on champions who no longer require them. Some reductions apply to champions with a win rate below 50%, like Zed or Qiyana, as they are generally more challenging to play, especially in ARAM. Riot aims to ensure their buffs aren't overly powerful in the right hands and intends to reflect the dynamics of Summoner's Rift more closely in ARAM.
Riot will continue to reduce modifiers on champions when it seems reasonable—even if their win rate is sometimes below 50%. They believe win rates don't entirely depict the gameplay reality.
ARAM Buffs
- Aatrox: 100% Damage Dealt ⇒ 105% Damage Dealt
- Caitlyn: 95% Damage Dealt ⇒ 100% Damage Dealt
- Jinx: 90% Damage Dealt ⇒ 95% Damage Dealt
- Karma: 100% Shielding ⇒ 110% Shielding
ARAM Nerfs
- Azir: 105% Damage Dealt ⇒ 100% Damage Dealt
- Rumble: 105% Damage Dealt ⇒ 100% Damage Dealt
- Qiyana: 80% Damage Taken ⇒ 90% Damage Taken
- Evelynn: 85% Damage Taken ⇒ 90% Damage Taken
- Zed: 90% Damage Taken ⇒ 95% Damage Taken
Summary
This recent patch brought by Riot Games brings a slew of changes aimed at improving gameplay balance. Key adjustments have been made to items such as Duskblade of Draktharr, Essence Reaver, Statikk Shiv, and Stormrazor, with the intention to refine their mechanics and maintain the unique identities of champions. Also, specific buffs and nerfs have been implemented for ARAM mode, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
These changes are in line with Riot's commitment to continually evolve the game based on player behavior, game statistics, and community feedback. All these adjustments were made to balance the game and ensure every champion can shine in their own way. Riot is hopeful that these updates will make for a more strategic, fun, and balanced game for players of all levels.
To learn more about the new champion insights, you can visit the following page: https://handleveled.net/blog/champion-insights-naafiri.
